The growing proliferation of misinformation and disinformation, particularly with the help of social media and AI tools, threaten civic health and democratic processes. Given the sheer volume of misinformation, it is not surprising that some students may unintentionally spread misleading and inaccurate information in class. This page provides strategies that instructors can use to address misinformation and help students improve their information literacy.
Substitute misinformation with correct information
- Rather than calling out misinformation, explain how the information is inaccurate and offer accurate information in its place.
- Repeat corrections as necessary. Misinformation often spreads through repetition, so be prepared to consistently replace an inaccuracy with accurate information.
- Sample scenario: A student cites an incorrect statistic in class, claiming they saw it on the internet. The instructor can effectively intervene replacing this misinformation with the correct statistic, and explaining why the statistic from the internet is inaccurate.
Challenge the misinformation, not the person
- Correcting misinformation should not focus on calling out students or questioning their values. Instead, tackle the misinformation itself.
- Sample Scenario: A student wants to write a final paper focused on a divisive topic. In the first draft of their paper, the student cites several pieces of misinformation from questionable sources. Instead of focusing on critiquing the student’s argument, the instructor works with the student to explain how the questionable sources work against the strength of that argument.
Create opportunities to practice critically analyzing sources
Here are some tasks that can help students learn to spot misinformation:
- Consider the information source: Who is the author or publisher? Who is the intended audience?
- Look for evidence: From where does the source draw its information? Are the information claims backed up by evidence? Does the source have citations? What kinds of sources are cited?
- Read a variety of sources: Are the main points of information fairly consistent across sources?
- Check the date of publication: Is this information up-to-date?
- Consider whether the information is meant as a joke or satire.
Resources and Tools
UW Center for an Informed Public
UW Strategic Planning: Confronting fake news and misinformation
UW Libraries Undergraduate Researcher Tutorial
Teaching Information Literacy: Assignment Ideas